The Professional Darts Corporation have announced a deal to broadcast PDC darts live on the BBC for the first time in history, with the introduction of a brand new tournament, ‘The Champions League of Darts’, set to be broadcast on the BBC in September.

This tournament will be an eight-player event, hosted at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena from September 24-25th, consisting of the top eight players on the PDC Order of Merit following the conclusion of the World Matchplay in July.

The eight players will be split into two groups of four, with the top two from each group progressing to the semi-finals and subsequently the final, with £100,000 on offer to the winner. World number one Michael van Gerwen, reigning world champion Gary Anderson and 16-time world champion Phil Taylor will all be in attendance in Cardiff.

PDC Chairman Barry Hearn was understandably thrilled to announce this ground-breaking moment, stating: “The BBC has a long history of broadcasting darts but this will be the start of an exciting new era.”

“The Champions League of Darts will bring the very best players in world darts – the top eight from the PDC Order of Merit – to BBC screens for an exciting, quick-fire tournament.

‘“Both live crowds and TV audiences have continued to soar for PDC tournaments in the last year, and it’s a great reflection for us that the BBC were keen to add the Champions League of Darts to their sporting portfolio,” Hearn added.

BBC Director, Barbara Slater said: “We are very pleased to be showing the inaugural Champions League of Darts on the BBC for what is promised to be a thrilling and innovative tournament.

“Darts has always had wide appeal and it is great that audiences will get the chance to see all the action from the world’s top players live on BBC Two and across our platforms.“